Live From Death Row

September 9, 2009 by Marc Lamont Hill

 

mumia.jpg
Health Care=’I Don’t Care’
By Mumia Abu Jamal

 
    As the White House and Congress square off on health care, take care, because the deals with the big dogs have been made — and the people will be — once again — left holding an empty bag.
 
    That’s because in the opening hours of this drama, the central issue — single payer — was given away, in an attempt to attract the support of big insurance companies.  A pre-pay-off, if you will, to show them that neither their profits nor future growth would be impaired.
 
    Truly, this is change that they can believe in, for it means more clients, more funds flooding their tills, and legislative protection for their dwindling pay outs (for sick people.)
 
    Single-payer means that all doctors and hospitals would have been paid for their services by a single government agency — spelling the end to the immense profits garnered each year by hundreds of insurance companies — now costing at least $350 billion annually.
 
    Now, that amount of money would’ve paid for much of the nation’s health care needs, instead of private business profits, and executive bonuses.
 
    With the deal made, that money is gone — and so are the hopes of millions for a fix of the nation’s broken health care system.
 
    Do you really think the insurance companies donated millions to Obama and select members of Congress because they liked their looks?
 
    They’ll give dough to Democrats, Republicans — hell, even communists if they think it’ll buy them more profits.
 
     And it looks like they have.
 
    There’s an old American saying, ‘You get what you pay for.’
 
    Well, they’ve paid the politicians — and they’re about to get the payoff!
 
    There’s considerable coverage on the recent passing of Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy, a long time advocate of universal healthcare.  While his brain cancer undoubtedly shortened his days, it’s also likely that this adept politician, seeing the horse trades being made to sell out the people on health care, caused him to die from a broken heart.
 
    Oh — and about those town halls?  It’s much ado about nothing, or as Shakespeare once wrote, it’s ’sound and fury, signifying nothing.’
 
    Most of them are people who didn’t even vote for Obama, and who call him a ’socialist’ for using ‘the guvamint to interfere with Medicare.’  Nutty as a Snickers bar.  Many still believe he was born in Kenya, East Africa!
 
    And yes, a bill will pass, and Obama will sign it, but it’ll mean less, not more health care. It’ll  mean higher co-pays (really prepays, or deductibles), less services, and more profits for their campaign contributors.  There will be celebrations and TV PR people will praise it like American Idol — but it’ll be a sell-out — pure and simple.
 
    Unless – unless -people really raise hell — and demand single payer — and universal health care — before the door slams shut.
 
–(c) ‘09 maj
 

Sex with Timaree

September 9, 2009 by Timaree

timaree

Question to Sexpert Timaree:

“I have a dilemma that seems silly even to me. I’ve been dating the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. No, she really, really is. Her personality is also really great. She’s sweet and smart and thoughtful. I’m totally smitten. I don’t know how I landed her, but we’ve been seeing each other for about 2 months since we met through friends at a party. But as much as people envy my luck at having such arm candy, it’s kind of hell. Everyone in the world is competition now. She gets hit on constantly, even right in front of me. She’s good about it and politely shoos them away. But these guys eyeball me like, “who’s THIS asshole?” It’s incredibly stressful and I feel as though at any second I might end up in a fight with one of these guys or dropped for someone more attractive. And I don’t want to seem too clingy or jealous to her, especially not this early. What am I supposed to do?”

First off, your concern is legit. For every person out there who dreams of trading up from their current partner, there’s another person getting so riled up about the possibility of their relationship falling apart that they accidently cause it to implode with jealousy, insecurity and pansy ass fretting.

BALANCING ACT

As you might have gathered from your experience, couples do best when they’re similar in their levels of attractiveness. People tend to like others who are similar to them and flock to those who have comparable levels of income, education and physical appearance- because they have a lot in common and can view each other as peers. When you see a smoking hot person walk down the street holding the hand of a total fugster, you take notice… and might assume the uggo is extremely wealthy… or ridiculously funny. There has to be some balance of assets to make the investment worthwhile.

Potential rivals for your lady see her…and then see you… and assess your threat level. If they can “get” what she sees in you, they’re less likely to bother extending the effort when rejection seems inevitable. If she appears so outrageously hot that it’s worth the gamble, they might still make a try even if you’re a total catch. Or they might make a play without even noticing that you’re present. In any event, this is going to be a problem.

ON THE UPSIDE

It’s better that she be hot anyway. Even though attractiveness equilibrium is important, physical beauty is more important to men than to women, traditionally. For this reason, heterosexual relationships with a more attractive female are significantly more successful than those with a way hotter guy. However, you might want to make sure you make good money and are always extra super nice to her cause you got to bring something to the table.

TAKE IT AS A COMPLIMENT

Yeah, I know. It’s an honor for the first thirty times someone informs you that your girl is mad fine but grows increasingly arduous thereafter. But she sees something in you and that should be acknowledged and valued. By downplaying your own hotness, you’re devaluing her taste and that’s more disrespectful to her than it is modest for you.

Find out what she likes about you and play it up. Even if you’re not confident, act like it. Chicks dig it.

TRADE DOWN

None of this sounds do-able? You’re just convinced that this whole thing will collapse under the weight of your anxiety? Not feeling like enduring the endless barrage of ego dings that is dating a vixen? Cut your losses and look for someone who’s more your speed. Whether it be Sean Kingston crying out about beautiful girls leading you to suicide or Jimmy Soul warning you never to make a pretty woman your wife, there are plenty of reasons to seek out a safe bet in your next partner.

GET HOTTER

Worried you’re not hot enough? Fine. Stop being a whiny baby and do something about it. Quit your excuses and hit the goddamn gym. Take pride in your appearance, get advice from a trusted stylish friend on what you can do to spiff up a bit, and not only will you look better, but you’ll feel it. If there was ever a motivator, she might as well be it. Good luck!

Questions? Comments? Violent reactions? Email Timaree at sexwithtimaree@gmail.com For more, check out http://sexwithtimaree.com

Video of the Day

September 9, 2009 by Marc Lamont Hill

Today’s video of the day makes me laugh. Family, please don’t let this be your kid.

20 Questions

September 4, 2009 by Marc Lamont Hill

20-questions

Doesn’t Terrell Owens’ new reality show feel like an infomercial for his straightness?

If Tom Ridge is so honorable, why didn’t he starting snitching before he got a book deal?

Whose mouth is more of a liability, Joe Biden or Joe Budden?

Why is so little of the health care debate focused on the 46 million people who don’t have it?

How telling is it that Allen Iverson still can’t find a job?

How long will President Obama go unchallenged on Afghanistan by the Left and the Right?

Don’t you wish that Prince had said something about Michael Jackson’s death?

Has anyone told 50 Cent that his rap career is over?

In a sport filled with egos and insecurity, isn’t it great to see Donovan McNabb welcome Michael Vick with open arms?

Now that they’re criticizing Cash for Clunkers for being too effective, don’t Republicans officially seem like a party of player haters?

Now that they’ve embarrassed themselves at countless town hall meetings, don’t congressional Democrats seem like complete screw-ups?

After hearing him publicly blame racism for his political failures, isn’t it fair to ask if David Paterson even wants to be re-elected?

Isn’t he partially right though?

Does anyone find Robin Williams funny?

Why doesn’t Avery Johnson have a head coaching job?

Doesn’t Barack Obama seem more like a traditional politician with every day?

Isn’t it a shame that the birthdays of Marcus Garvey and Assata Shakur went virtually unnoticed?

How do shows like The Game get cancelled while Tiny and Toya remain on television?

Doesn’t Drake feel like hip-hop’s version of a boy band?

Will there ever be a Senator as talented, passionate, and effective as Ted Kennedy?

Video of the Day

September 4, 2009 by Marc Lamont Hill

Today’s video of the day comes from the O’Reilly Factor, where I discussed Senator Diane Watson’s comments about race, healthcare, and Cuba.

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